A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Rehabilitative Interventions for Unilateral Spatial Neglect and Hemianopia Poststroke From 2006 Through 2016

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of activity-based, nonactivity-based, and combined activity- and nonactivity-based rehabilitative interventions for individuals presenting with unilateral spatial neglect (USN) and hemianopia. Data Sources: We searched CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PubMed from 2006 to 2016. Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a score of 6 or more in the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale that examined the effects of activity-based and nonactivity-based rehabilitation interventions for people with USN or hemianopia. Two reviewers selected studies independently. Data Extraction: Extracted data from the published RCTs. Mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I ² statistic. Data Synthesis: A total of 20 RCTs for USN and 5 for hemianopia, involving 594 and 206 stroke participants respectively, were identified. Encouraging results were found in relation to activity-based interventions for visual scanning training and compensatory training for hemianopia (MD=5.11; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI], 0.83-9.4; P=.019; I ² =25.16% on visual outcomes), and optokinetic stimulation and smooth pursuit training for USN (SMD=0.49; 95% CI, 0.01-0.97; P=.045; I ² =49.35%) on functional performance in activities of daily living, (SMD=0.96; 95% CI, 0.09-1.82; P=.031; I ² =89.57%) on neglect. Conclusions: Activity-based interventions are effective and commonly used in the treatment of USN and hemianopia. Nonactivity-based and combined approaches, for both impairments, have not been refuted, because more studies are required for substantiated conclusions to be drawn.